What’s New at Disneyland: Spring & Summer 2018 Guide

Planning a spring break or summer vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth? Disneyland is ever-changing with the seasons, and every spring and summer brings something new. This 2018 year has plenty of new attractions, shows, parades, and more that will make any Disneyland vacation special and memorable. From the return of the Food & Wine Festival to Pixar Fest, Pixar Pier, and more, find out what you need to know about what’s new at Disneyland in spring and summer 2018.

And… if you are planning a spring or summer visit of your own, make sure you read to the end to find out how to save big on your vacations with Trips With Tykes partner Get Away Today. I may even have some exclusive discount codes coming up soon. But you have to be following me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram so you don’t miss the deals!

And now on with what’s new at Disneyland this spring and summer….

Disneyland Food and Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure

The Food & Wine Festival at Epcot in Walt Disney World has been a favorite for more than two decades, but its time in California has been fairly short. It returned in 2016 after many years on hiatus, expanded substantially in 2017, and is back for even more culinary adventures in 2018! The event runs this year from March 2, 2018 until April 12, 2018, so it’s perfect for spring breakers.

Photo credit: Disneyland Resort

Hosted in Disney California Adventure, the event this year features celebrity chef demonstrations, over a dozen marketplaces for food and drinks, and lots of surprises. For the kids, they can enjoy the foodie fun by doing kid chef classes with Chef Goofy.

Chef in training with Chef Goofy (who paid us a visit in Oakland last year).

Pixar Fest

Starting later in the spring, Disneyland plans to put Pixar front and center in both parks with the launch of Pixar Fest. Pixar Fest opens April 13, 2018 and runs through the end of summer until September 3, 2018.

There are three major features of this initial stage of Pixar Fest. There will be two parades (the Pixar Play Parade and Paint the Night) making a new and improved return in new locations as well as the addition of an entirely new fireworks evening spectacular. Of course there will likely be plenty of meet and greets, smaller events, and food and merchandise too!

Pixar Play Parade. Many Disneyland guests are already familiar with the Pixar Play Parade that has been in Disney’s California Adventure for a few years. It has been one of my favorite attractions for toddlers and preschoolers at Disneyland. As part of Pixar Fest, it is getting a new home in Disneyland park.

The Pixar Play Parade moves to Disneyland park.

The Pixar Play Parade is being upgraded with new floats and elements to make it fresh and new. Expect to see Russell and Dug from Up and the famed Pixar lamp and yellow ball to lead the parade’s opening. Another brand new addition to the parade for Inside Out fans will be Joy, Sadness, & Bing Bong.

New Elements in the Pixar Play Parade for Pixar Fest.Photo credit: Artist’s rendering, Disney•Pixar/Disneyland Resort.

Paint the Night Parade. The stunning nighttime parade with 1.5 million LED lights will be back in April as well, this time across the esplanade in Disney California Adventure park. Paint the Night features Pixar Favorites from Cars, Monsters, Inc. and Toy Story as well as memorable music. It’s probably my personal favorite Disney parade or show – ever!

Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular. Disneyland is also launching a new fireworks spectacular in Disneyland Park as part of Pixar Fest. “Together Forever” is focused on friendship – a theme that runs through many Pixar classics. The fireworks show will use projection technology on the castle, along the storefronts of Main Street USA, on its a small world, and on the Rivers of America to surround guests in multiple locations with the full experience.

It’s too soon to know all the characters that will be featured in Together Forever, but expect Coco to be included – a preview of the show shown at Disney Social Media Moms this week had a short clip of a scene from that movie. Disney has also announced Buzz Lightyear will fly over the castle, Tinkerbell-style.

I will also be at the opening of Pixar Fest at their press preview in April 12, so look for a complete preview, guide, and tips to come just as soon as the land is opened.

Pixar Pier

Not to be confused with Pixar Fest, Pixar Pier is a re-imagined land opening in Disney California Adventure two months later — on June 23. Previously known as Paradise Pier, this land is the area behind the lagoon where Mickey’s Fun Wheel and California Screamin’ were located.

Pixar Pier will now feature mini-lands that highlight several of Pixar’s most popular franchises: most notably – the Incredibles, Toy Story, and Inside Out. The Inside Out neighborhood will be open at a later date (TBD and NOT on June 23), but we expect most everything else in Pixar Pier to be ready to go early this summer.

Toy Story Mania anchors the new Toy Story mini-land within Pixar Pier.

Incredicoaster. The centerpiece of this land’s transformation will be the thrill ride to be known as the Incredicoaster. What used to be California Screamin’ will be re-themed to feature the Incredibles family, just in time for the opening of Pixar’s Incredibles 2 sequel in theaters June 15. Since the ride will be on the same track, expect some major speed — as well as some major waits. Using Maxpass to snag your Fastpass reservations is going to be a must.

California Screamin’ will get a whole new look as the Incredicoaster.

Mickey’s Fun Wheel. Mickey’s Fun Wheel is also getting an overhaul as part of the launch of Pixar Pier. It will anchor the 4th neighborhood within Pixar Pier. Each of the 24 gondolas will be themed with a different Pixar character. So even if your favorites aren’t one of the few focuses of the other three mini-lands, it’s safe to bet quite a few more Pixar movies will be around too. The area around Mickey’s Fun Wheel with the former midway games will also feature a myriad of Pixar characters.

Lamplight Lounge. At long last, we finally have the scoop on what restaurant will be replacing Cove Bar and Ariel’s Grotto at the entrance to Pixar Pier. Cove Bar will have a brief re-opening from March 16 to the end of May, but then it shutters its doors for the redo.

So long Cove Bar… here’s to hoping the new Lamplight Lounge will feature secret signature cocktails like the Mickey’s Fun Wheel, pictured here!

Disney has announced that a behind-the-Pixar-scenes themed restaurant called Lamplight Lounge will be opening in its place with the rest of Pixar Pier on June 23. Signature cocktails and California gastro-pub food will be on the menu, along with the famed Lobster Nachos, naturally. With Ariel’s Grotto gone for good, this means that there will be one fewer character dining location at Disneyland more permanently (or at least for a long while), so book those other Disneyland character meals early!

Lobster nachos at the new Lamplight Lounge.Photo credit: Disneyland Resort.

Paint the Night — Further Upgrades. When Pixar Pier opens, one more feature will be added to Paint the Night which will already be running regular since the opening of Pixar Fest. Expect a brand new Incredibles float to join the procession through DCA this summer.

Other Attractions & Offerings To Look Out For

While not as big as the major events of the Food & Wine Festival, Pixar Fest, and Pixar Pier, Disneyland has lots of smaller new offerings all the time. This spring, look for the following meet-and-greets, food, events, and more:

Black Panther Appearances. Wakanda comes alive with character sightings in the Hollywood Backlot of Disney California Adventure. DATES: February 19 until TBD

Rose Gold Churros. The rose gold theming of everything knows no end! No longer just for Mickey ears or jerseys, you can now eat the color with this sweet strawberry treat. DATES: February 16 until TBD

Main Street Vehicles Return. Main Street USA currently has a lot of walled off areas as of late February to do construction on the Main Street vehicles. But that means they will be back in new and improved form soon. No date has been announced, but my money is on mid-March before spring break crowds invade the parks. DATES: TBD

Meet Rey at Star Wars Launch Bay. Rey from Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be making appearances in Disneyland park later this spring in the Star Wars Launch Bay. DATES: Some time in May until TBD

The Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland. Within minutes of my publishing this post, Disneyland announced that a new experience would be coming to Adventureland in the space currently occupied by Aladdin’s Oasis: “This one-of-a-kind destination will be a popular rest stop for Adventureland locals and weary explorers alike. Guests will be able to rub elbows with their favorite skippers in an exotic traders’ market, featuring all of the sights, sounds and flavors of the tropics.” DATES: TBD (but I think this summer is a safe bet).

Disneyland Vacation Deals!

With all that is new, there really is no bad time to go this spring and summer to Disneyland. But I want to make sure you are getting the best deal whenever you are going!

I recommend and have partnered with Get Away Today, the top seller of Disneyland and SoCal vacations. If you are planning a multi-day visit, you can save real money by booking your tickets or vacation packages with them. Use promo code TYKES10 for an extra $10 off all package stays of 2 nights or more. Get Away Today offers tons of extra little perks to clients and has in depth Disneyland travel experience so you won’t be led astray by a travel agent who doesn’t really know the resort.

And… as a special bonus, I will have some even bigger discount codes when I’m in the parks this spring for Food & Wine and Pixar Fest. Stay tuned to my social channels on March 3-4, 2018 and April 12-15, 2018 for more information. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram for the deals!

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About

Welcome! I’m Leslie, a mom of two (ages 8 and 3) who loves to travel. Trips With Tykes is a family travel blog devoted to simplifying the logistics of traveling with young kids. With a little knowledge of airline rules & good planning, family travel can be really fun, even if it still involves the occasional in-flight tantrum or battle with TSA over your toddler’s juice box.